Abdul Kareem Adam (Kareembe), who was honored with the national award for his decades of service to the Maldivian healthcare sector both as a government official and a private citizen, has died at the age of 80.
Kareembe, whose service to Maldivian healthcare sector spans over 47 years, died of old on Wednesday night. His funeral prayer is scheduled for after Asr on Thursday at the Islamic Center in Male’ City.
Kareembe began his public service on June 18, 1961, as a health assistant at the Health Office. He had continued to serve the healthcare sector up until his retirement at the age of 65 on July 16, 2009.
Abdul Kareem Adam (Kareembe) died at the age of 80 on July 16, 2025.
In 2023, the then-President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih conferred him with the National Award for Public Service in recognition of his contributions to the Maldivian healthcare sector.
Kareembe had been among a group of Maldivians who were trained as healthcare workers by a visiting group of Dutch medical doctors. During his long career, he continued to receive training from both the Maldives and from countries such as India and Thailand.
VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AT A TIME OF POOR HEALTHCARE
Kareembe had spent over four years stationed in various atolls, treating patients in isolation for serious diseases such as tuberculosis and leprosy – at a time when people with such diseases were shunned by society.
He also played a key role in battling the cholera epidemic that hit Male’ in 1978, killing at least 220 people. He was involved in chlorinating water wells, testing drinking water, vaccinating people, and checking hotels and restaurants for compliance with hygiene standards.
Abdul Kareem Adam (Kareembe) receives the National Award for Public Service on July 29, 2023. (Photo/President's Office)
Kareembe was also involved in quality assurance for fish exports to the European market, and testing and issuing permits for new medical consumables imported into the Maldives.
His services weren’t restricted to office hours.
He would visit homes during his off-duty hours to treat the elderly who are unable to or find it difficult to go to medical care facilities. He was also involved in performing circumcisions.
According to the President’s Office, Kareembe did not have any record for disciplinary action during his long service. He is recognized as an exemplary figure who treated patients with honesty, sincerity, and compassion, and served as a role model to his juniors and peers.